Brazil Sees Spate of Violent Crimes as Student Indicted in Alleged Serial Killings Draws Global Scrutiny

Overview

• Ana Paula Veloso, a law student, was arrested and formally indicted for four homicides in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, as police described her as a serial killer and international outlets amplified the case and reported alleged admissions.
• Security video captured a victim being shot in the head during a daytime robbery near Rua 25 de Março in central São Paulo; an off‑duty military police officer pursued and shot a suspected assailant, and a low‑caliber pistol was seized as the case was logged at the 8th DP.
• In Saboeiro (CE), cook Antônia Ione Rodrigues was killed at home after prior threats; authorities detained two men and cited reports she had rejected a request to poison police, while those held and a third person questioned deny involvement and alleged faction ties.
• Ceará police in Baturité used drones to locate a fleeing robbery suspect on a rooftop and seized two .38 revolvers, ammunition, a balaclava and a stolen motorcycle before booking him in flagrante.
• On Rodovia Anhanguera near Cajamar, a Guarda Civil Municipal team interrupted an attempted robbery of a motorcyclist, shooting one suspect, arresting another and recovering a .380 pistol, with investigators noting both have extensive robbery records.